The purpose of this marketing order is to promote the general welfare of the state and to maintain and protect existing markets, increase production efficiency, and ensure a fair regulatory environment for potatoes produced in Washington. The commission is designated by the director to conduct the following programs in accordance with chapter 15.66 RCW:

(1) Unfair trade practices and foreign regulatory barriers.

(a) The commission, subject to the provisions of the act, may investigate alleged unfair trade practices and foreign regulatory barriers that hinder the sale, production, transport, or export of Washington-produced potatoes or potato products.

(b) If the commission finds as a result of an investigation that trade or foreign regulatory barriers are restricting the free flow of potatoes produced in this state, the commission may institute appropriate action before any agency or body deemed necessary to correct the situation.

(c) If the commission finds as a result of an investigation that transportation rates and service costs are restricting the free flow of potatoes produced in this state, the commission may institute proper action before the interstate commerce commission or such other agency or body deemed necessary to correct the situation.

(d) Information and records acquired in any such investigation are exempt from public disclosure to the extent provided in RCW 15.66.105 and 42.17.31907 or any other applicable statute, except that such information may be released, to the extent necessary to effectuate the purposes of the act, in the presentation of facts to and negotiations with state, federal, or foreign governmental agencies on matters which affect the production, irrigation, transport, use, consumption, export, or sale of potatoes grown in this state, as authorized in RCW 15.66.105.

(2) Research.

(a) The commission, subject to the provisions of the act, may carry on or cause to be carried on any necessary and proper production, irrigation, processing, transportation or handling research relating to potatoes and to expend moneys for those purposes.

(b) The commission, subject to the provisions of the act, may engage in research that may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(i) Production problems, such as soil, seed, fertilizers, irrigation, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and the like;

(ii) Developing and testing new potato cultivars with improved disease resistance, processing, nutritional, or horticultural characteristics;

(iii) Improving techniques and methods of harvesting potatoes;

(iv) Developing and improving methods of processing potatoes and potato by-products for the purpose of increasing and expanding their use for food and industrial purposes;

(v) Improving packing and handling techniques which promote more efficient operation in the marketing and distribution of potatoes;

(vi) Determining any special nutritive, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical qualities of potatoes produced in Washington;

(vii) Improving production practices, resource requirements and availability, and similar issues or matters that may impact the continued production of potatoes in Washington.

(c) The commission may, in addition to the activities enumerated above, carry on any other proper and necessary research programs and activities consistent with and subject to the limitations of the act. Such research may include the collection of data and information relating to potatoes; the analysis of such data and information; and the dissemination of such data, information and analysis to potato producers and handlers and in response to public requests.

(d) The commission, subject to the provisions of the act, is authorized to coordinate potato producers' potato crop protection chemical registrations and integrated pest management (IPM) implementation.

(3) Standards and grades.

(a) The potato commission, subject to the provisions of the act and chapter 34.05 RCW, may adopt rules to define, establish and provide labeling requirements for improving standards and grades for potatoes, as provided in the act, not inconsistent with the horticultural laws of this state with respect to the same, and to expend moneys for such purposes.

(b) The commission shall give reasonable written notice to all producers, handlers and persons directly affected by the labeling requirements issued pursuant to this section in accordance with rule-making proceedings conducted under chapter 34.05 RCW.

(c) The commission may cooperate with state and federal agencies or departments responsible for revising and modernizing grades and standards and labeling of potatoes.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the commission to set minimum grades, sizes or maturity of potatoes which a producer may sell, offer for sale or ship.

(4) Public education. The commission may respond to requests from the public for information regarding:

(a) The economic, environmental and nutritional value and benefits of potatoes and the Washington potato industry;

(b) The quality, care and methods used in the production of Washington potatoes;

(c) The handling, preparation and utilization of Washington potatoes and potato products;

(d) The effects of trade, transportation and regulatory barriers on the Washington potato industry.

(5) Grower and industry education. The commission, subject to the provisions of the act, may conduct programs to provide information and education to the Washington state potato industry including:

(a) Public opinion or awareness research information for producers of potatoes;

(b) Industry-related education and training;

(c) Information and services enabling producers to meet resource conservation objectives and keep current with issues impacting their business.